German ex-Chancellor Helmut Schmidt dies at 96
He was number 116 on the list.
Helmut Schmidt, who served as West German Chancellor from
1974 to 1982, has died aged 96, his
Mr Schmidt, who was a Social Democrat, was an architect of
the European Monetary System, which linked EU currencies and helped pave the
way to the euro. He also helped to consolidate Germany's post-war economic
boom.
Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed him as a "political
institution" in Germany.
He is seen as one of the most popular German leaders since
WWII.
Mr Schmidt died on Tuesday afternoon in his home city of
Hamburg, his doctor Heiner Greten was quoted as saying by German media.
The doctor provided no further details.
In a televised tribute, Ms Merkel said her predecessor was
an authority "whose advice and judgement meant something to me".
She said Germans had developed a "deep affection"
for him and were "impressed by his personal humility as well as his sense
of duty".
Reacting to the news, European Parliament President Martin
Schulz said he was "deeply affected" by the death.
"He was an outstanding chancellor, his death marks a turning
point for Germany and Europe," he said.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Mr
Schmidt was "a special man whose political courage has moved many."
Paying tribute to Mr Schmidt, French President Francois
Hollande described him as "a great European".
"He was a man who, until his final breath, knew how to
give a speech and especially to tell Germans that they had a role to play...
that it was within Europe that they should act", Mr Hollande said.
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